Real Madrid came from behind to edge past Union Berlin and reach the Champions League last 16 with 100% win record. Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos scored an 89th-minute winner to secure a 3-2 victory against Union Berlin in their final Champions League Group C match on Tuesday. The Spanish midfielder Ceballos’ late goal helped Madrid to make it six wins from six matches, finishing the Group stage at the top with 18 points. Madrid won all six group stage games for the third time after 2011-12 and 2014-15. Union Berlin, on the other hand, ended their European run in last place with just 2 points.
The Germans started well on a positive note and Madrid goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was forced to make a fantastic one-handed save after only 55 seconds to deny Kevin Behrens from close range. The Spaniards responded with a looping header off the crossbar by Joselu in the 16th minute, and he also blasted wide in the 43rd, before Luka Modric had a 45th-minute penalty saved by Frederik Ronnow.
Instead, the hosts struck late in the first half, with Kevin Volland pouncing on a David Alaba mis-kick to sneak home in stoppage time. Union Berlin needed to win to have any hope of qualifying for the Europa League, but they came under growing pressure and Ronnow came to their rescue again in the 55th minute, palming a Rodrygo header from point-blank range beyond, but the Dane was overcome six minutes later by Joselu’s header at the far post.
The Madrid forward scored again in the 73rd minute, this time at the near post, following a fantastic Fran Garcia run and cross, but the Germans equalized temporarily in the 85th minute through Alex Kral’s low shot. Ceballos sealed the game in the 89th minute, lifting Madrid to a perfect winning run.
There are no buts. We did very well. In the second part of the season our play has improved. In the last two games we didn’t manage being in front well, today and against Real Betis. We have to deal with that better, Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti said after the match. We controlled the first half well, we dominated but two crazy minutes made everything complicated. Fortunately in the second half we were more efficient, with more crosses, we have a forward who’s good with his head, and we scored two goals, Ancelotti concluded.
